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Spotlight on Your Reptile’s Behaviors

September 15, 2014

Your reptile pet’s behaviors are an entirely different ball of wax. You’ve pretty well figured out your dogs’ and cats’ living habits and behavioral quirks. Generally speaking, dogs and cats enjoy the run of your house and love playing and socializing. On the other hand, your reptile pet lurks quietly in his enclosure, plotting the demise of his next prey. Now that you’ve gotten used to your reptile’s habits, he’s quite entertaining. Also, watching him daily provides clues to a potential injury or illness that might require your Milford veterinarian’s prompt attention.

Heat Leads to Good Digestion

Your reptile’s digestive process is also quite different. Since he requires heat for good digestion, he flattens his stomach on the warm ground right after meals. While your reptile soaks up the heat, his digestive system processes his food and produces much-needed internal energy. If your pet climbs atop the cage lights, or parks himself under the heat lamp and/or lights, he’s indicating that his habitat’s ground temperature is too chilly for his comfort.

Security and Safety Are Key

Your reptile wants to feel secure and safe in his lair, so he climbs on rocks to scope out potential predators. If he feels threatened, he retreats to his small, dark hiding place where he thinks he will be invisible. Make sure his enclosure provides landscape features that allow him to take either option.

Noisy and Strange Behaviors

Believe it or not, your reptile pet can make an impressive racket. In the wild, his raucous behavior would likely accompany a mating ritual or self-defense tactic. You might also see him frequently bob his head, which seems to somehow relate to his noisy antics. If you’re trying to figure out his motivation, realize that he might find you extremely annoying. On the other hand, perhaps he’s signaling that he’s happy to see you.

Champion Stalker and Hunter

Your reptile’s hunting ritual takes advantage of his biggest strengths. Let’s say he’s a nice green color, so he blends into the surrounding green plants. If his skin is brownish toned, he can lurk on the ground, almost unseen by his predators and victims. Chameleons have developed their own set of rules, however, as they simply put on different colors based on their environment. They’re also rather patient, sitting for long periods while they wait for the ideal meal. Once that victim comes within reach, the chameleon snaps out his long, sticky tongue to trap and reel in his prey.

Because your reptile’s sharp claws and lightning-fast tail can nail you unexpectedly, ask your Milford vet for some valuable reptile handling tips. For the best long-term outcome, begin gently handling your reptile while he’s very young.